Motor vehicle drivetrain having at least two CNT's and flywheels

Abstract

This design is for a motor vehicle drivetrain utilizing flywheel rotation to store energy during the vehicle trip, either storing energy when accellerated, or releasing energy when slowed depending on the vehicle power requirements. At the same time the engine is allowed to operate at a constant RPM and throttle setting, determined by the best thermal efficiency of the engine selected (the engine itself is not a part of this patent application). The continously variable speeds of the vehicle are made possible by the design's transmissions using sintered metal construction, a cogged drive belt, and a pattern of surface protrusions meshing with the cogged drive belt. The flywheels are slightly offset to allow simple gear meshing, and are counter-rotating to cancel out flywheel precession and torque reaction when providing power to the drive wheels. This eliminates any adverse effect on the vehicle's behavior that might otherwise result such as causing the vehicle to spin on slippery surfaces.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application follows Provisional Application No. 60 / 432,944, with filing date of Dec. 12, 2002 which is claimed for this application.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Motor vehicle drivetrain efficiency is constantly being improved, with a major advancement involving hybrid technology using a gasoline engine with a battery storage system and an electric motor. Current designs have included a regenerative braking feature that uses electric motor braking in order to recharge the storage batteries. Improved fuel economy is obtained by use of a relative small gasoline engine operating alternately with the electric motor. When the driver indicates demand for more power, both the gas and electric are utilized. The thermal efficiency of this design is the cumulative result of the gasoline engine, engine driven generator, storage battery, and electric motor. Each component reduces the overall efficiency. The regenerative braking recaptures som...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The object of this invention is to provide a simpler and far more efficient motor vehicle drivetrain.

[0009]A small diesel engine (not part of this patent application) is envisioned to optimize the efficiency of any vehicle using this drivetrain. Because of the flywheel efficiency, a much smaller engine can be used, and, with the efficient recovery possible by using flywheel braking, very high fuel mileage is attainable.

[0010]Cost of a generator, batteries, and electric motor are significantly higher than the cost of a second continously variable transmission and dual flywheels. By controlling the transmission, the engine can be operated at its peak thermal efficiency at all times. Engine life would also be increased. The weight of the flywheels (100 pounds each) and the 2nd transmission would be somewhat less than the electric motor and batteries.

Problems solved by technology

Each component reduces the overall efficiency.

Specific problems with gas-electric hybrids include cost, weight of batteries and electric motor, and overall thermal efficiency are issues related to the current design approach.

Motor vehicles currently available are reported to cost the manufacturer significantly more than the selling price.

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